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Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Vineeth’s hat-trick moves Blues to the top

AIFF Media

The battle between the Blues and Yellows, Bengaluru FC (BFC) and Mumbai FC (MFC), the top and third placed team in Hero I-League played at the Kanterava Stadium ended in one-sided affair, with hosts thrashing MFC 3-0. Star from Kerala, CK Vineeth scoring all three, first hat trick for the Bengaluru FC. BFC gave start to CK Vineeth and Nishu Kumar for the first time in this edition of I-League. MFC sported an all-Indian team having two former BFC player in Thoi Singh and Siam Hanagal in their lineup. Both teams looked confident at the start – BFC relying on a pressing game and their opponent counter attack, also resorting to physical game. While the majority of the chances in the first half were created by the Bengaluru, but Mumbai were no pushovers, creating chances from the right-flank via former-international Steven Dias. The script so far looked very similar to BFC’s previous match. In the one minute of added time, just when everyone thought the first-half will end goal-less, host scored. Udanta played to Cameroon Watson, which the defender horribly missed, CK Vineeth was there at the top to bang the ball inside the goal. Vineeth again came back in action after changing end. This time from a Khabra’s cross, which the former smashed home. The cross from Khabra apparently looked harmless, with no one marking Vineeth, MFC defense made a complete mess of the situation. Vineeth completed his hat trick in the 65’ minute from an identical combination with Harmanjot Khabra. Keeper Laxmikant Kattimani, who failed to follow Vineeth’s turn, fell short, while the ball went past him. Post third goal, Bengaluru was all over and Mumbai FC couldn’t match their performances from last two Hero I-League fixtures.CK Vineeth was adjudged the Hero of the Match.